Posted by: thepinetree on 04/28/2009 06:05 PM
Updated by: Kim_Hamilton on 05/06/2009 10:41 PM
Expires: 01/01/2014 12:00 AM
:
Murphys Intersection Review Meeting...Communication? ~By John Hamilton Full Video Enclosed
Murphys, CA...We are currently at the Murphys Community Club meeting where they are discussing the Big Trees Road intersection. There are Representatives Dinah Bortner and Nelson Magsayo from Caltrans, Rober Packinger Calaveras County Public Works and Supervisor Tryon speaking along with members of the community. This is a multi-layered project. Mr. Packinger from Public Works department spoke first and said that from the county's perspective the intersection is only a few weeks from completion....
Caltrans is addressing the group now and she stated that they will be seeking an ADA and pedestrian review of the subject. Beth from the Murphys Hotel asked what mitigation would be made for bicycles.
Calaveras County Planning Commissioner Bill Mason spoke to the fact that the ADA designs should have been done much before now. He also asked when the intersection would be operational.
Caltrans said that they will expedite the changes. In some ways the they ADA situation was made much worse by small changes. A curb was put into place where if that had just been a sloped curb many of the problems could have been avoided.
Charline Vine who is in a wheelchair and has to deal with this intersection on a daily basis. Mentioned that there are many small problems with the area. An additional local resident who is in a powered chair now is unable to reach the signal switches for crossing the streets.
Several citizens have also expressed concerns about the Bret Harte Drive intersection and problems with ingress and egress.
Caltrans admitted that several of the problems with the intersection happened under their watch. They have also stated the the road should be able to be opened and the changes made after the intersection has been opened.
Funding this would probably be split between the county and the state. Caltrans hopes to have a ADA and a pedestrian plan back within 90days.
Developer Jack Kautz said that their portion of the striping and work will be completed within 2-3 weeks. One holdup has been the structural certification of the bridge. When we asked Mr. Kautz on this he mentioned that the inspection is imminent.
There is a great deal of community frustration right now. Community members just wanted a clear answer as to when the road and bridge will open. This intersection is a poster project for a failure to communicate between agencies and developer and lack of clear planning.
